The New R-Word- RESPECT

Seems like the perfect day to share my Friday Ludington Daily News column with you, too.

It's my response to the recent removal of the words mental retardation/mentally retarded from Michigan laws.

About time.

You can read it here.

FACES OF ABILITY WITH CEREBRAL PALSY.

In Honor of Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day, my beautiful baby boy, Eric. 

Gone too soon.

Enough said.

judy winter photo. all rights reserved.

It's Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day!

Spread the word!

logo credit here. 

WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY!

Friday, March 21, 2014.

Get your sock groove on!
More info here.

Logo courtesy of same. Used with permission.

Kudos, Parents magazine! 

Attn: Media!

The April 2014 issue features siblings on the cover, one of whom has autism. My son appeared in his own full-page shot in a photo essay of kids with special needs in this very parenting magazine years ago.

It was ground breaking then and this cover is ground breaking now.

Congratulations, Parents editorial decision makers.

Hope this is the beginning of an editorial trend, one that features children with a wide range of exceptionalities.

We've come a long way, special needs baby!

Read more about this here.

Judy Winter Image 2014. All rights reserved.

Leprechaun sighting.


HAPPY SAINT PATRICKS DAY!!!

Don't drink too much green beer...

HANGIN WITH TED

Certified therapy dog, Jack, taking a well-deserved bow at TEDx Lansing talk.

Let the certified-therapy-dog-in-every-school-in-the-nation-educational-reform revolution begin.

My TEDx Lansing talk is now on YouTube. 

I look/sound like I mean business.

I do.

Replacing r-word use with RESPECT

The big yearly push by Special Olympics to replace r-word use with Respect is today. I hope you'll consider supporting this important effort. I do. And yes, it does matter.

Here's a piece I wrote in 2012 detailing why ending the r-word use matters to me.

Photo courtesy of Special Olympics. Used with permission.

Yes. I do support this campaign. I think you should, too. Words hurt, especially this one.

Find out more, here.

Registration is now open to ALL campers (returning/new) for the 11th Annual Eric 'RicStar' Winter Music Therapy Camp, aka RicStar's Camp.

Don't delay. Fills up fast. Scholarships available.

Find out all you need to know, including registration form, here.

Focused on ability, friendship, inclusion, making music and having way too much fun!

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Share the love!

Who's the real inspiration in this powerful, well-written Olympic story about ice dancing stars, Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue, and a gusty mid-Michigan teen recovering from a serious car accident?

Read it here.

Say What?

So, 18-year-old, Christian Tumax of Texas stands up to kids bullying a student with special needs and he gets suspended?

Really, people?

FREE TUMAX.

Read the article, here.

More information and resources, here.

2014 Dates & Registration Announced for 12th Annual RicStar's Camp!

Registration is now open for all returning campers for the 12th Annual Eric 'RicStar' Winter Music Therapy Camp at Michigan State University's Community Music School.

Registration opens to new campers March 1st.

Don't delay. Camp will likely be full.

Scholarships available.

Focused on ability and making music!

All information, registration form, camp flyer here.

I have a dream, too, Dr. King.

In recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day tomorrow, here is one from the archives.

I still stand by these words.

In the words of the late, great Dr. King, "What impacts one, impacts all."

Sunday Spirit: from "Miracle on 34th Street."

"Faith is believing in something when common sense tells you not to."

Judy Winter Image 2013. All rights reserved.

Call for Drama Programs for People with Exceptionalities for Ability magazine article.

From Gail Williamson and Down Syndrome in Arts & Media (DSiAM): 

Gail is working with a journalist doing a story on the Born to Act Players out of Los Angeles. The journalist would like to include other programs around the U.S. and the world that provide drama training for those with developmental disabilities.

Are you part of such a group? If so send, add your information to the comments section on the DSiAM Facebook page. 

Weekly Inspiration: Melissa Shang.

Melissa Shang is a 10-year-old wheelchair user with Chacot-Marie-Tooth disease, an inherited neurological disorder.

Melissa is petitioning American Girl dolls to create a doll of the year with exceptionalities.

Inspired by her youthful determination and advocacy? 

I sure am.

Read more about Melissa's effort here.

New Year's Tip #2 

When making new goals for your child and yourelf, try not to look too far into the future. It can be overwhelming.

Instead, focus on achieving short-term, daily goals and success that will help you build a solid foundation for reaching those bigger future goals.

Slow and steady wins this parenting race.